Why Me

I've not seen wheelchair-bound guys in Nana Plaza and honestly the arrangements inside the bar don't seem particularly handicapped friendly.

However, you might have better luck with the street side bars/alcocarts which open up late. They're all along lower Sukumvit. The ones on Soi 7 for example get really cooking after midnight. No reason you can't roll up to one and have a good time. Booze and gals aplenty.

13 hours ago, Thailand J said:

That was when I realized a manage fund could fall behind S&P 500. Since then my money has been mostly in index funds , with a few years expenses   in Money Market Fund. Simple.

Exactly the conclusion I came to after reading Jack Bogle and making 5/10 year comparisons with my managed funds vs. S&P500, causing me to move everything to the low cost Fidelity total market index fund FSKAX .

13 hours ago, Thailand J said:

I am making 4% withdrawal yearly, mostly to give away.

So, if you don't mind my asking are you entirely in index stock funds (no bonds, etc.) and selling from them for the annual 4%?

Reason I ask is that I am 100% in a total market stock fund and have yet to see a compelling reason to diversify to bonds, etc., given that I can ride out a recession (average length 2 years) from my cash assets. Which seems to be your strategy, no?

Long-term stocks do better so again I don't need see the need diversify away from stocks provided I am diversified in them.

13 hours ago, Thailand J said:

In 2019 for the first time my Vanguard account returned over $1M in a year.

Nice going, buddy!! Enjoy your wealth.

2 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

I recommend running away from any and all financial planners.  If they were so good with money, they would not be working.  In general few are ve.  ry good and all that happens is you pay fee or percentages for what is really routine advice.

 

  I offer my advice.  I currently have over 1 million in my portfolio mostly with Etrade as my broker and bank.  I made all my money really in the last 15 years as an engineer contractor finishing my last three years as a direct employee with Northrop Grumman.  I have done a fair amount of investing and got some decent advice and real world things from some fellow contractors, both who were millionaires, owned and retired to canada with a hotel, etc.  I have bought and sold municipal bonds, municipal bond funds (tax exempt) so I hold them in my traditional brokerage account.  I have bought and sold a few call options, and covered calls, always in my IRAs so that there is no extra paperwork on Schedule D and its associated forms.  I have rolled over several company 401ks into my own ROTH and Traditional IRAs.  I have held many stocks over the years, ETFs, Mutual Funds, etc. I have never bought a home, but I did walk away from a closing when the other parties had not fulfilled their part of contractually agreed to pre work.  I have always done my own taxes, which have been relatively standard and simple.  I report dividends, interest, deduct itemizations very rarely as I didn't have deductible items.  I have worked in 16 US states so have more than the average person's knowledge of tax reporting. 

 

Starting in 2004 right after my first visit to Thailand, my goal was INCOME, so I could meet the Thai income requirements for a retirement visa extension reason.  I am familiar with REITs, dividend paying stocks or funds.  I offer my portfolio for discussion.  No claims it is great or good, or optimal or any such thing.  But it does generate over 65,000 USD a year in income.  And at 62 1/2 I have not even started social security yet, which if I did, would start today at 25,000 USD a year more.

 

NEA and PRTAX are tax free dividend payers.  ROTH of course all is tax free. Traditional withdrawals will be taxable as ordinary income when I take any out.

 

  I keep things simple and own less than 10 equities.  I have a combination of bond funds, preferred stock/bond funds, and dividend paying stocks.  My T holdings are all qualified dividend paying dividends so they max outat 15 % as a tax rate.

 

  I read about people buying index funds and hoping they continue over the long haul to average return 7%. yeah well, I like my > 5-6 % income every year that goes into my portfolio.

 

My current simple portfolio is:

 

Traditional Brokerage: (500K)

T, NEA, PRTAX

 

Traditional IRA:  (420)

BP, NLY, PFXF, PRHYX

 

ROTH IRA: (210kk)

AGNC, NLY, PRHYX, PGX

 

Thanks a lot for sharing. You are obviously a more sophisticated investor than I am but I've been very very lucky.

After being burnt on Red Hat way back when and realizing I was a lousy stock picker I invested only in mutual funds, usually a mix of Morningstar/ValueLine highly rated ones, until a Jack Bogle article convinced me to put everything Into one total market index fund, currently FSKAX. 10 years on a $300k is now 1.5mil.

That total 1.5mil includes IRA + Roth + individual equity, all in FSKAX. Yep, totally simple-minded but I have no regrets given the performance.

I have written a program myself based on historical S&P 500 data to simulate withdrawal rates from 2% to 4% (yes, I know of the 4% rule but I wanted to see for myself). At 2% which is the minimum I need because of additional SS and pension income there seems to be zero risk and a high chance of the investment itself growing significantly.

But here is where I come to the point of asking advice. Apparently, I am in the fortunate position of having enough saved. In fact, if hypothetically a bank today offered 3% annual interest on a CD not too long term, I would be all in right away. I don't need to ride the market to make more money. A good return is all I care for.

True my simulation does show that staying in a total market index is fine for a 2% withdrawal rate. But there's volatility to contend with - 2008 was no fun at all. 

So if I want a modest return circa 3% is there an investment that's low volatility and pretty much secure?

US citizen here with a decent portfolio all in US stock index funds. Obviously done well in the past few years but now thinking to move some moneys to income-generation. Not that selling stocks won't generate income. But that's precisely the point. I want to talk to someone re the best way forward.

Last year I called a couple of financial planners in the US but they have issues with the territory they are licensed for. So it would be great if there's someone in Thailand, maybe a retired US financial planner, someone with credentials, who can help me bounce ideas around. Of course, I will pay.

PM me if you don't want to respond in the thread.

6 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

Let me help you, Im an expert. Heres a few tips.

 

First of all, dress for sucess. a conservative Saville Row Suit and hand made brogues look great as you are insouciently leaning against a doorway holding out a crystal rose. Dont forget the basics, like a fresh haircut, barber shop shave, completely hairless body, matching socks and change your underwear dude. Black ones. Tight. Skin tight black ones. Thongs. Pouch. Yes

 

Emphasize your utter masculinity in a safe way. Dont lean over the dinner table and grin savagely as you recite how you personally killed a terorist by hacking him into pieces with the Kuhkri the Ghorkas gave you in Afghanistan, then bringing his head to the Mess where the Colonel will use it as a Regimental Drinking Cup. Rather, tell her about the experience in a halting voice, break off eye contact to blink away the tears, try this line "I had to do it. I took no pleasure in it, but I could not let the world suffer anymore. Its hard, I think about it every day and it haunts my dreams".....make sure you wipe the eyes and dont forget a chokebacked sob or two.... Guaranteed, she will be under the table comforting you before the Escargot get there....

 

Dont appear cheap, yet dont be extravagent. Thats a hard one to pull off, basically, if you tip the Valet $100 you could look like a poseur or a mobster, make it $50. And try to fold the bills and be discreet in handing them out, just dont whip out a Grant and wave it around and flip your keys to the valet, heres a fitty for ya boy, dont scratch up my ride, the Rolls is in the shop...no...not going to work. Smooth, classy....heres a little something for you my man.....much better...

 

Oh ride, yes, there are a few places where they rent nice cars, avoid Vettes (ordiniary) and Hellcats (Redneck) and Toyotas(boring) and Lambos (too pretentious)...I suggest a well equipped late model Lincoln Sedan if you are older, and a BMW 8 if you are younger. Make sure your radio is playing soft classical music when your date arrives, leave the Nickleback and Rush CDs at home. 

 

Fine Wine: My expertise in this area is world renowned. I was a vinter, I used to create a lovely wine using Welches Grape Juice and Everclear. Fabulous. Aromatic, yet Sweet and Deadly. Anyway, as to wine, if you know nothing about it, thats OK, nobody does. They just pretend. All of the stuff about Bouquet and Aftertaste is meaningless, it all tastes like overpriced sour juice. So when the dude with the neck cup comes by, just order two of the most expensive bottles on the menu, Red and White you can cover the steak and fish. And remember to swirl before tasting, at which time you can nod to the waiter and smile and mumble platitudes like "Hmmmm, cogent, with just a hint of affectation". And if you want that under the table trip before you even sob, just spit the wine out and declaim with just a hint of anger "My good man, how dare you bring this to me. Its quite horrid, and I rahlly dont care that its priced at $1000 and ithat you personally chose it, its quite simply  inferior. Bring me a 1947 Chateau Papenuef, thats worth the money, Wine Spectator Rates it highly" (you already know they have it because you saw it on the menu and your date will never go check on Wine Spectator)

 

If you need more help let me know. I have all sorts of little touches......

 

 

 

 

A post should be like a bargirl. The happy ending should be within easy reach and not a mile away. Yours is too long.

But I'm giving you a like for an impressive vocabulary.

I had a years appointment once at a private uni. They had a Government Relations Dept. to help foreign employees. And very efficient too. Give them your passport, copy of your contract, photos, med cert. (for the WP, done at the school's clinic), sign a couple of places and they'll take care of the rest. They did take me to the Labor office for the WP though.

Now, I can see where a corrupt person in the GRD can make money: slip in a forged contract with the regular ones. I would guess they would have a partner in crime in the HRD as well to get the signatures, unless they were forging those in the GRD too.

The CW IO probably wasn't in on it at all because a reputable school would be doing all the paperwork properly. A top school obviously wasn't bribing IOs for the sake of properly hired foreigners. And the IO is obviously going to accept that a signed contract from school A is what it is. (Edit: But probably got suspicious of one too many and called enforcement.)

Bottom line: this wasn't a visa agent caught going rogue. Completely different.

I have to say my experience with Lazada has almost always been positive. Yep, their control over the quality of sellers/product could be better but I've never had a problem with refunds. If a seller gave me grief over return then a call to the Lazada helpline (English) has always solved the problem.

In fact, just now see that I have a refund to my CC for a knee brace that didn't fit without ever having to send it back (a lousy 103b so I guess they didn't care).

Well, there you go in case you were wondering why TAT is looking for Indian and Chinese tourists and not farang.

Another somewhat paradoxical matter with spending vis a vis tourists from rich countries vs. developing.

A middle class two-income US family probably does one maybe two foreign trips a year. They may mix it up with cruises, Europe, Asia, LatAm, etc. So they've got a budget for each trip.

On the other hand, for most middle-class Indians a foreign trip is something they've planned/dreamed/saved for years. Probably, once in a lifetime thing. So, they're here to blow their wad. And get on every selfie-worthy ride and their return baggage limit filled with whatever they can get their hands on.

It might not be surprising then that the average Indian spends more per day here than the average American.

And here it is the data which says China and South Asian tourists do outspend per day Europeans and Americans:

http://www.thaiwebsites.com/tourism-income-Thailand.asp

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Not many foreigners with money to throw away visiting Thailand IMHO.

(except all those Indians with 10,000bht/day to spend)

I agree it doesn't make sense for once/twice a year tourists unless they are silly rich and like to be pampered in and out of the country. However, as a way to stay hassle free long-term it's good.

Firstly, no IO issues as I believe Elite takes care of things if you are in Bkk, just drop off your passport. No mandatory health insurance worries as it's a glorified tourist visa. Ok, if they require some kind of insurance fee of all tourists then that would apply, but no way could that be a big deal. (Not that I am advocating staying here without insurance but that stupid OP requirement screws up the situation. Otherwise, a good cover is affordable and a must).

And it's actually 50k/year not 100k with the 20 year Elite. That's 137b/day, about the same as a Starbucks habit. Downside: money's gone pfft.

38 minutes ago, DaRoadrunner said:

It is not so much which hospital you choose. The trick is to find the doctor who knows about your particular condition.

I do not disagree. Sheryl advises this too.

What I have a problem with is someone saying, oh, Thai medcare sucks or this hospital sucks because something bad happened to me or someone I know. And vice versa doesn't make sense either, oh, this is the best hospital in the world because they cured my cancer. Because we're talking millions of patients and hundreds of hospitals, you have to have a scientific assessment from a large sample.

In any case, simple Google search indicates that the top Thai hospitals like Bumrungrud, Siriraj et al are pretty well ranked internationally. As is Thai healthcare in general.

Heck, Thailand wouldn't be the third med best tourism destination in the world (Intnl. Medical Travel Journal quoted in https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/thailand-third-biggest-medical-tourism-destination-in-the-world) without some amount of quality.

I understand defamation laws here will keep bad reviews out of the press. But you can't hide internationally. If the health system was bad then there wouldn't be millions of med tourists.

9 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The 15 days remaining on a entry to do the application is for the expected time for the application to be approved and the 90 day stamp being done.

Jeez, that makes total sense now. You're a freakin' genius.

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You would apply for 30 day extension to your current visa exempt 30 days

Dumb point I know but the passport would be with the agent processing the non-O, right? So how to get the visa-exempt extension 30+30 at the same time as the non-O process?

I know I am probably being stupid and the agent probably takes cares of the whole deal. But still it did strike me and the horror stories of 5 day overstays being picked up by IO worry me.

Dr. Jack54, just saw your mail about setv. I just checked with a TA in the country from where I'll be reentering Thailand. He says US citizens are expected to go in visa exempt and can't promise I'll get a setv there. And I do not want to go back to the US.

UJ, got a follow up if you don't mind:

Say someone comes in on a 30-day visa exempt and applies for a non-O based on retirement soon after. If the non-O processing goes on for up to 5 weeks (agent says 3-5 weeks) which takes it past the visa-exempt 30 day mark what happens?

Thanks, UJ. So that's sort of the (unwritten) rule then: 1 week before.

If a US citizen comes in on a 30-day visa exempt how soon can he apply for a 30 day extension to make it 60 days total? Reason is he might have a bit of downtime right after arriving before a hectic travel schedule kicks off. So could he ideally say arrive Mon., go to CW Wed. and get an extension and be all set? Thanks in advance.

Way he was using his weapon and insane behavior

= ex-commando, probably recently dishonorably discharged on drug charges, on a rampage.

Should be easy to find. The endgame will be a firefight in which he dies or he might take his own life before. He is not going to survive captivity for long.

11 minutes ago, uhuh said:

No it's not world class medicine what you get here. 

This is the kingdom of make-believe and Bumrungrad is as good at it as every Thai. 

What you get at Bumrungrad is good. And what you get at Siriraj is so good that the king didn't go abroad for treatment. 

But as I said,  if you think Thailand has hospitals that rank among the world's best you don't work in medicine. 

 

I give you an example.  You look up Bumrungrad's spine specialists on their website and you see that many of them trained in Germany, mostly with the same German guy from Herne. Now, don't you think the guy who trained them is probably the master in his field? 

Another example: try to get Shingrix here  (zoster vaccine). It is routine in the west, does not exist in Thailand.

Another example: pain management in Thailand is not good. There are many threads about it, look at the 10 years old thread about BNH. Things have not improved since 2009, because Thai doctors still are very reluctant to give good pain killers (because of the drug trade in Thailand) and because some routine painkillers of the west do not exist here. I was in Bumrungrad, and I was in pain. They gave me Tramadol iv, as a shot. So I vomited (that's normal,  if someone gets Tramadol iv). The whole emergency room looked aghast that this foreigner dared to vomit in their beautiful emergency room. Nobody had the idea to give me a bucket, they didn't even have one. It was the cleaning lady who finally did this. It went on like this for a week (2 more Tramadol iv... :)). The operation was very good. Pre- and post-operative pain management was third world. 

 

 

I am deeply saddened by your experience at Bumrungrud. Nevertheless, anecdotal evidence of a single patient does not make a ranking. Their reputation is built on treating millions.

But as I said,  if you think Thailand has hospitals that rank among the world's best you don't work in medicine. 

Jeez, I just gave you an external reference ranking Bumrungrud. And there are others if you google. Please do not take your pain situation out on Thai med care as a whole. If you can get your problems fixed in your home country then fine, but even that seems beyond your reach. Yet you keep whining.

18 minutes ago, uhuh said:

No, they are not. 

If you think they are you have no idea about medicine. 

(They are good,  but by far not among the world's best. Those are in the rich countries of the West,  in Singapore and maybe Hong Kong.)

Sketch care describes very well what you get here.

Like I said youse gets whats youse pays for. If you have the dough you can get world class care here.

Bumrungrud makes it into at least one list of top 10 in the world: https://www.advisoryhq.com/articles/best-hospitals-in-the-world/

4 hours ago, Thainess said:

I wouldn't want to be seriously sick and at the mercy of the sketch standard of care available in Thailand, or fall victim to their huge fees and bill padding.

I assume you talk about low-end places like some public hospitals where patients are left lying in the corridors because rooms are full. Not sure why you would want to go there as a foreigner. That was your mistake.

Top hospitals in Thailand rank among the world's best. But you still have to be able to afford them. If you have good insurance then fees are not your concern either. That's between the hospital and your insurer.

You need to qualify your statement to say that if you are unfortunately impecunious then go back to the UK for free care.

4 hours ago, lovelomsak said:

I want to thank you all for support. 

  Sheryl your 2 suggestions are exactly what I need. I have no idea where to goor who to see. Your reply is of great assistance Thank you

Yep, sometimes you just have to jump out of bed screaming, I am in charge of my life, nobody else!

Don't mean to sound patronizing but I've been in that situation more than once for various reasons including medical. Sometime the very act of thinking aloud, Fkuc all, I'm in charge here, can be transforming.

Good luck, ll.